12082024-LSTC-01.qxd 8/12/2024 12:09 AM Page 1 c m y b A GLIMPSE OF CARDI B’S LIFE TRIBUNE Fitness goals Actress Ananya Panday gave some major fitness goals to her fans by sharing a video of herself working out in the gym and lifting 120 kg of weight. Rapper Cardi B recently shared new videos of her kids on her Instagram Stories in which she showed off their unique style. Cardi shares her children with her estranged husband Offset. Mona O NIR was called a ‘filmmaker far ahead of his time’ when he came out with My Brother…Nikhil, one of the pioneer mainstream Hindi films that dealt with same-sex relationship back in 2005. Almost two decades on, as his film Pine Cone explores the queer love story of a filmmaker, the label still sticks to him. “I feel I and my cinema would be accepted fully by our film fraternity and the society only posthumously,” chuckles the jovial man, as we talk about his most recent outing Nandini! Nandini is part of an anthology titled My Melbourne that opens at prestigious Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2024. The CHANDIGARH | MONDAY | 12 AUGUST 2024 Filmmaker Onir is on a high as two of his films—Nandini, which is part of anthology called My Melbourne, and Kagazi Naav are—set to premiere at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Melbourne ON HIS MIND INCLUSIVE WORLD A STILL FROM NANDINI Onir has another reason to be joyous. It’s not just My Melbourne but another of his film, Kagazi Naav (The Paper Boat), will also premiere at the festival. It’s a Kashmiri language short film made under a film workshop mentored by Onir. “I am excited for this too as it is directed by first-time filmmakers — Aamir Amin and Lateef Lone — and is set in Kashmir that has my heart.” As he gears up for these two premieres, he is happy at the attention Pine Cone is receiving at the festival circuit. “Not only internationally but the film is being loved and appreciated in Indian cities as well, both big and small, and that is so heartening,” he says. While Onir never had his ‘coming out’ date as he was open about his sexual orienta- four stories capturing the essence of belonging and diversity are directed by Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali and Rima Das along with Onir. The stories cross paths and give the feel of a single film. “Nandini is special, because just like other three stories – Jules, Emma and Setara, it stems from personal experience,” says Onir. Nandini follows a queer Indian man looking for acceptance from his father. “The story is representative of many queer Indians who chart foreign shores to seek acceptance,” says Onir. tion, he feels times have changed for the queer community in India. “I didn’t have to go through a formal coming out. It was a natural progression, just as it is for any straight individual. It still wasn’t easy as homosexuality was criminalised back then.” Over the decades things have improved and Onir is happy that today the queer community has support, can access information through films, literature and social media platforms. But it’s still not an equal world. “There are way too many barriers – caste, class, religion, and for the queer community, the challenges multiply.” Like for instance, the fight for marriage rights as far as the queers are concerned. “While marriage rights would be a significant step forward, it Advance booking opens for the sequel of Rajkummar Rao-Shraddha Kapoor’s film Stree STREE-T smart The advance booking for Stree 2, starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor in the lead roles, is now open, the makers has announced. The Amar Kaushik-directorial, which a sequel to 2018 hit Stree, will be released in theatres on August 14 on Independence Day eve with night shows starting from 9:30 pm, Maddock Films announced on its social media pages. “Stree 2 - Advance Booking Open Now. Woh Stree hai, woh kuch bhi kar sakti hai! Isilye woh aa rahi hai ek raat pehle, just for you. “#Stree2, the legend returns on Independence Day eve, with night shows from 9:30 pm onwards on 14th August, 2024,” the studio posted along with a poster of the film. At the box office, Stree 2 will have a clash with three other big-ticket movies — Akshay Kumar’s Khel Khel Mein and John Abraham’s Vedaa. Tamil superstar Vikram’s Thangalaan, directed by Pa Ranjith, and Puri Jagannadh’s Double iSmart, featuring Telugu star Ram Pothineni and Sanjay Dutt, are also coming out on Independence Day. Co-starring Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee and Aparshakti Khurana, Stree was one of the most commercially-successful and critically-acclaimed films of 2018. The three actors are returning for the followup movie as well. — PTI PHOTO:VICKY Of faith & filmy fervour Sonali Dub The recent trailer launch of Bibi Rajni brought together film enthusiasts, and the cast and crew of the Punjabi movie. Bibi Rajni tells the inspiring story of Rajni, the youngest daughter of Rai Duni Chand, a revenue collector in Patti. The film portrays Rajni’s unwavering faith in the divine. Rajni’s life takes a dramatic turn when her father marries her off to a leper. Despite the harsh circumstances, she remains devoted to God. The launch saw the presence of film’s star-studded cast, including Roopi Gill, who plays the role of Bibi Rajni. Gill said, “It has been an incredible journey working with director Amar Hundal. I hope the audience connects with Rajni’s story as deeply as I did.” Yograj Singh, who plays King Duni Chand, called Bibi Rajni the ‘Mughal-e-Azam of the Punjabi industry’. THE CAST AND CREW OF BIBI RAJNI c m y b would lead to other things like adoption rights.” Onir is happy how queerness is becoming visible increasingly. “It’s heartening that the Paris Olympics have 175 out trans athletes. Their stories spread awareness and positivity about the community.” Closer home, the gender fluidity and queer rights for him are rooted in our culture. “It’s like as if the young are reclaiming the roots. In Indian culture, there has been long standing tradition of queerness — be Krishna taking Mohini’s form to kill invincible demon Bhasmasura to Arjun taking form of transgender woman named Brihannala in King Matsya’s court during final year of exile, now the young are embracing their identity, and also have increasing support.” My Melbourne that opens IFFM 2024 is an anthology of four films. Onir-directed Nandini follows a queer Indian man reconnecting with his father on foreign shores. Imtiaz Ali’s Jules has an unlikely friendship between a newlywed and a homeless individual at its heart. Rima Das directorial Emma follows a deaf dancer’s journey to selfacceptance. Kabir Khan-directed Setara is a story of an Afghan refugee finding an identity through cricket. IMTIAZ ALI RIMA DAS ‘Art is the act of affirming life’ Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who will be next seen in King, was conferred a career achievement honour at the 77th Locarno Film Festival, in Switzerland. Addressing the packed 8,000-strong crowd in Locarno’s Piazza Grande, Khan began by acknowledging the warm reception he received. Referencing his famous open-armed pose, he said, “Thank you all for welcoming me with such wide arms – wider than the ones I do on screen.” The actor emphasised the universal nature of art and filmmaking, “Art is the act of affirming life above all. It goes beyond every man-made boundary into a space of liberation. It need not be political,” he said. — IANS Shah Rukh Khan talks about the universal nature of art at Locarno Film Fest